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Under new law signed by Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, employers are prohibited from discharging, disciplining, or otherwise discriminating against veterans for taking time off from work to attend medical appointments necessary to obtain veteran’s benefits. The new law takes effect on August 1, 2013.

Act No. 165 defines a qualifying “veteran” as “any honorably discharged veteran of the armed forces of the United States, including reserved components of the armed forces, the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, and any other category of persons designated by the president in time of war or emergency.”

Under the new law, employers may require the veteran to verify his or her attendance at a necessary medical appointment by presenting a bill, receipt, or excuse from the medical provider. If a veteran is discharged or disciplined or is threatened with such action for attending medical appointments, he or she may take legal action under existing state law, including instituting a proceeding in court.